“McPeake logged seventy-plus years in the music business…. His credentials are certainly well-established and his love for the music is evident on this recording. May has played with McPeake over twenty years and is a veteran singer/songwriter and champion guitarist. Together, McPeake and May have collaborated to present their versions of songs and arrangements they both love. The tracks were recorded …just two months before McPeake’s 90th birthday. (Well done fellows!) …Included here are “Reuben’s Train,” “My Home’s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains,” and “Leather Britches,” among others…. “Grandpa’s Mule” is the only selection that isn’t an old chestnut. Written by Andy’s wife, Lauren, the song is about her Alabama grandfather’s infamous mule, Betsy… You’ll hear a little of “Flop-Eared Mule” in this one, which should probably bring a smile to your face. Aubrey Haynie adds fiddle work and Tim Dishman is on bass and harmony vocals. As the CD jacket indicates: ‘Heckuva good time!'”- BW, Bluegrass Unlimited

Curtis McPeake‘s name is spoken with something very much like reverence in the nationwide banjo community. …He is …an expert picker, as this fine instrumental album makes plain…. He is joined on this record by guitarist Charlie Cushman, fiddler Aubrey Haynie, mandolinist Dave Harvey and bassist Dennis Crouch, all together they play a winning assortment traditional and original banjo showcase tunes.

McPeake’s original compositions are some of the best things on this album-the aptly titled “Fire In The Furnace” and “Leap Frog” are both classic pieces of 1950s-style instrumental bluegrass, while “Long Way Home” is a slightly more complex and slightly less zippy composition.

…A beautiful, timeless sound. Andy’s light, bright mandolin picking sets the lead…, (and) it’s hard to hold your seat as Andy and the boys beckon you to get up and dance. “Dance of Life” is a light, enjoyable frolic through traditional mandolin standards. The musicianship is high, the original works strong and the [CD] is really a lot of fun.